Share your Word for 2013
In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to God and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s fire and be stripped down to one’s holy essence. The desert was a threshold place where you emerged different than when you entered.
Many people followed these ammas and abbas, seeking their wisdom and guidance for a meaningful life. One tradition was to ask for a word – this word or phrase would be something on which to ponder for many days, weeks, months, sometimes a whole lifetime. This practice is connected to lectio divina, where we approach the sacred texts with the same request – “give me a word” we ask – something to nourish me, challenge me, a word I can wrestle with and grow into. The word which chooses us has the potential to transform us.
- What is your word for the year ahead? A word which contains within it a seed of invitation to cross a new threshold in your life?
Share your word in the comments section by Tuesday, January 8th and you are automatically entered for the prize drawing (prizes listed below).
A free 12-day online mini-retreat to help your word choose you. . .
This year I am offering all Abbey newsletter subscribers a gift: a free 12-day online mini-retreat with a suggested practice for each day to help your word choose you and to deepen into your word once it has found you.
Sign up here and you can start your mini-retreat today. Once you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email with access to the mini-retreat content (and you are free to unsubscribe at any time). If you are already a subscriber, the invitation will be in this week’s email newsletter.
Win a Prize – Random Drawing Giveaway on January 7th!
Some wonderful friends of the Abbey have offered fabulous prizes to be included in this drawing held from all of the names who participate:
- from Christine Valters Paintner of Abbey of the Arts: a space in the online Lenten retreat with St. Hildegard of Bingen
- from Kayce Stevens Hughlett of Diamonds in the Soul: a signed copy of her book As I Lay Pondering: Daily Invitations to Live a Transformed Life
- from Dana Reynolds at Sacred Life Arts: a space in her online class The Book of Wonderment and a signed copy of her brand new novel Ink and Honey
- from Ronna Detrick: a space in her online class Soulstice: Develop a Meaningful Spiritual Practice
- from Roy DeLeon of Now Praying: a signed copy of his book Praying with the Body and personalized body prayer for your favorite Psalm
- from Tess Giles of Pilgrim’s Moon: a print of the beautiful banner art by Rima Staines
- from Velma Frye: a copy of her CD “Seven Sacred Pauses” and “Take Heart”
- from Richard Bruxvoort Colligan: a copy of each of his Psalm CDs “Sharing the Road” and “Shout for Joy”
- from Trish Bruxvoort Colligan of River’s Voice: a copy of her CDs “Breath” and “Unfolding”
- from Mary Sharratt: a copy of her novel Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard of Bingen
- from Waverly Fitzgerald of Living in Season: a copy of her French Republican Calendar for 2013 and a copy of her New Year Dreams E-book
- from Betsy McCall of the Art Monastery: an original art print
- from Paula Huston: a copy of her latest book Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practies for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life
Pretty wonderful, isn’t it? Make sure to check out the links to their websites for all kinds of goodness and thank them for supporting the Abbey!
So please share your word (and a sentence about what it means for you) with us below. Subscribe to the Abbey newsletter for your free gift. Share the love with others and invite them to participate. Then stay tuned – on January 7th I will announce the prize winners!
844 Responses
My word is TRANSITION as I transition from a more active life to a more contemplative lifestyle. My Symbol for this is the caterpillar to butterfly.
Traveling on my camel this year of 1013 with the word, Sphinx.
There is no doubt that the word for me this year is “balance.” I’ve already purchased a candle with “Balance” printed on its holder. Now that my eyes and heart are in search of it, I’m already beginning to see it appear in numerous places! Thank you for this opportunity and encouragement to pursue it and live it.
At first I was pretty confident that the word “courage” had chosen me for 2013. It made me a little uneasy….what may be asked of me, that I would need courage for. Yet I know I need to make some changes in certain areas of my life. My difficulty is in knowing what direction I am being nudged to go. So then, the word “reveal” popped out at me…..as in being at peace, that it will be revealed to me…..much like Christine’s encouragement to stop grasping…..what comfort and reassurance that gave me. I’m still not sure that I feel one word more strongly than the other, so I’ll continue to hold both of them for a while.
My word for the year is CONNECT. I will continue to make a conscious decision and act of connection to my God. No matter where I am in life, I will continuously maintain my connection to my God of my understanding. During victories or dealing with life’s curve balls, God first and always.
I had planned Enoughness as my word but upon sitting by the sea and reflecting, the word TRUST settled into my being. Trust in what the universe has to offer me as well as working on trusting myself.
My (compound) word is whole-hearted.
BALANCING is my word for this year. “-ing” for the continuousness of this act that strengthens core muscles.
My word is REMEMBER. I often read about being present and talk about being present. I even write poems about being present but somehow find it very difficult to remember to be present. So here’s to remembering in 2013.
My word for 2013 is HEART.